Complete Guide To Ginger Island In Stardew Valley

Ginger Island is the endgame challenge hub for Stardew Valley - here's a quick overview of the area.

After completing the main story in Stardew Valley, you can gain access to Ginger Island. This is a late-game addition that easily adds in about a dozen hours' worth of content. On this tropical island, you can find new NPCs, items, and quests to complete.

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With all the things happening on the island, though, it can be easy to get lost when trying to take everything in. In this guide, we are going to go over everything you need to know about Ginger Island.

Updated July 22, 2023 by Jacqueline Zalace: There is a lot to do on Ginger Island. We've added even more locations that you should check out, making this guide as complete as possible.

Ginger Island can only be accessed after the completion of the Community Center. Once you've done this, you will then need to head to the beach and help Willy with a big fetch quest.

Below, you can find all the items that you will need to bring to Willy.

Once complete, you will be able to buy a ticket for 1,000g to Ginger Island.

If you do not have the Island Obelisk that teleports you straight to Ginger Island, you will have to pay this fee each time you visit.

Not all of Ginger Island will be accessible when you first visit. Instead, you will find several parrots found, which require you to give them Golden Walnuts in order to unlock new features.

As the name implies, Island East is on the east side of the island. From the main beach, you can get here by taking a right, which leads into the Jungle.

Within this portion of the island, you can find Leo's Hut. This is an NPC that you can eventually help move to the valley. Within his hut, there is also a parrot that provides hints on where to find walnuts.

The Gem Birds are located to the east of the area in front of Leo's hut. They will appear on rainy days, and when approached, they will fly off, leaving a gem behind. The gem will then need to be added onto the correct pedestal, and the process needs to be repeated until all pedestals are full.

Completing these tasks will award the player with five gold walnuts.

Island West is to the west of the main beach area. The first time you venture here, a giant turtle will be blocking the way. After paying ten Golden Walnut's he will move.

For those that really like the tropical vibe of Ginger Island, there is a way to settle down there. While it will take quite a bit of work, a farm can be set up on the island.

After you clear the debris in front, you can start planting crops right away. To access the farmhouse, you will need to pay an additional 20 walnuts.

As an added bonus, any crop can grow on the island at any time of the year. This is a great way to make tons of money and expand on the benefits of the greenhouse while exploring the island.

Qi is a mysterious figure that gives out big rewards in the game, and it turns out he likes to take vacations. Once you have collected a total of 100 walnuts, the room will open with tons of extra goodies inside, like a shop with exclusive items, the advanced challenge shrine, and a request board.

Birdie is one of the few NPCs found on Ginger Island. She cannot be given gifts, and you won't be able to increase your friendship with her.

Instead, she will give you a quest called "The Pirate's Wife", which we will go over later.

The Gourmand Frog is a giant frog that will reward you with Golden Walnuts if you grow certain crops for him.

This frog's cave is on the upper right-hand portion of the map, but it will only be visible if you restore the farmhouse by paying 20 walnuts.

Lastly, we have a cave that holds the Colored Crystals. Just north of the farm, there is a grove where Tiger Slimes appear. Northeast of this, you can find the Colored Crystals.

This puzzle is essentially a game of Simon Says, with a reward of three Golden Walnuts.

Island South is mainly composed of the initial area that you arrive at when taking the boat to Ginger Island.

A resort area can be built on the island that allows NPCs to take a break from their regular schedules and come lounge on the beach. The NPCs will switch to swimwear and have all-new dialogue about being on vacation. For completionists, this is a must-have that can help enhance the game's lore and vibes.

Once the Resort is built, you will be able to gain access to the Pirate Cove, as well as the tide pool area directly outside.

This exterior beach has a little star-shaped pool and is home to the Mermaid Puzzle. Below, you can check out some helpful guides for this area.

Lastly, we have Island North. To get here, just head directly north from the beach. This area is quite large and has several notable locations.

One of the biggest draws for Ginger Island is the addition of an all-new dungeon. The Volcano Dungeon is a lava-filled wonderland with nine new enemies, a forge, a shop, and tons of new items.

The dungeon itself works differently than the skull cavern, and some doors will even be gated. To progress through the dungeon, you'll need to solve puzzles and use your watering can to traverse lava. Below, you can check out some helpful Volcano Dungeon-related guides.

The dig site is a tropical version of the quarry with a few more quirks. A mushroom cave is located near it, and inside, you will find another new NPC, Dr. Snail. The site can spawn both nodes and mahogany trees each day, making it perfect for farming.

Once you free Dr. Snail from the area, you will unlock the island field office and the ability to donate fossils.

Ginger Island is home to tons of fossils for you to dig up. These fossils can then be taken to Dr. Snail and donated. By completing the fossils, you can earn rewards such as Golden Walnuts and the Ostrich Incubator.

By donating ten walnuts, you can unlock the Island Trader. You will also need to have the island farmhouse built for this parrot to appear.

Once the Trader is up and running, you can purchase a variety of goods, such as island-themed furniture.

There are four NPCs that can be found on Ginger Island. Below, you can check out where to find each one.

NPC

Location

Leo

Island East

Birdie

Island West

Professor Snail

Island Field Office (after saving him at the Dig Site Cave)

Dwarf (this is a vendor)

Volcano Dungeon Floor 5

There is only one quest that you can find on Ginger Island, which is "The Pirate's Wife". To start it, talk to Birdie. She will give you a war memento and task you with hunting down a keepsake from her husband that has been lost for years.

The quest will involve swapping items with Pelican Town residents and will earn you the Fairy Dust recipe.

The Parrot Express is a transportation service offered on the island. While exploring, you may have noticed little huts like the one pictured above.

At the Express location that can be found above the Island Farm, you will find a parrot who is requesting ten walnuts. By paying this bird, the transportation system will unlock. You will then be able to visit locations that you have previously discovered.

NEXT: Stardew Valley: How To Achieve 100% Perfection

Jess has been writing for clients all around the world for years. From companies in Japan to being featured on The Kim Komando Show, Jess has prided herself in expressing her love for gaming. Her favorite console is the Nintendo 64 and she revels in replaying through Paper Mario and Megaman Legends. When not fighting Reaverbots she can be found gushing over the newest JRPGs or watching seasonal anime with her furless cat. Follow her on Twitter at @Genshin_Writer if you love video games and naked cats.

Jacqueline Zalace is a writer for TheGamer, based in Austin, Texas. When she's not writing or playing video games, you can catch her doing yoga, reading, and painting.